ADVENT 2014 BEGINS

"The better to see you with."

On Monday, the 24^th of November, having had so much fun with dermatology, John took on ophthalmology courtesy of Dr. Scott Lanoux and had cataract surgery on his left eye—the right one having been done a decade ago in Washington, DC.  Charles took John to the hospital and brought him home; the next day Bob got John to the doctor for the follow up visit.  The only nuisance is remembering to use the prescribed eye drops every day for weeks.

On Wednesday, Br. Sean Moffett flew in from Brownsville to celebrate Thanksgiving with us and our Brothers from Jackson, MS, Teddy Dausch and John Brennan.  Ted and John arrived on Thanksgiving Day shortly before others arrived.  We were joined by Sisters of the Holy Faith Maura O’Donovan, Nancy Hale and Pauline O’Reilly and Sisters of Charity Monica Gundler, Kelly O’Mahony, Claire Regan and Mary Lex Smith.  The Sisters brought a number of delicious appetizers, main dishes, wine, dessert and a glorious poinsettia.

Aperitif in the Map Room:  Sr. Mary Lex, John Brennan and Sr. Maura O'Donovan

 We work collaboratively and extensively with these women who share our concerns for mission and ministry.  Sisters Nancy and Pauline volunteer at Lantern Light, as does Br. Charles.  They have often helped us as well as being very supportive of volunteers like John Petrullo and Erika Enlund.  Br. John serves on the steering committee of Burning Bush with Sr. Maura O’Donovan and Sr. Claire Regan.  He serves on an Advisory Committee for the House of Charity; Sr. Monica Gundler is a frequent facilitator for our community retreats and reflections and has been a friend and counselor for volunteers.  For all these reasons it was natural to have our Thanksgiving celebration with those who share our vision and values.  The Sisters came for the same reason, and because, as one of them honestly stated: “I never had a man cook a Thanksgiving turkey for me.” 

Chef Bob at work.

  

Pauline, Nancy, Sean, Mary Lex [hidden], Ted, Maura, Charles, John, Kelly [hidden] John B, Claire

For our celebration, we first enjoyed an aperitif [Kir Royales prepared by Sr. Kelly] in the Map Room next to the kitchen where Bob prepared the turkey, dressing and gravy.  We then went to the dining room for prayer composed by Nancy and Pauline.  Serving ourselves from a buffet set out by Srs. Pauline and Monica we managed to consume many new takes on old favorites like cranberry compote made with craisins, and sweet potato casserole based on a recipe from Café Reconcile.  The delicious white wine was a Jubilee gift to John from Caitlyn DeCastro, one of our first volunteers.  After pausing for a few rounds of “Mad Libs” we had ‘Pavlova’ and apple pie, desserts prepared by Sr. Pauline O’Reilly.

Charles' view: Monica, John C, Kelly,John B, Claire [Hidden] Bob, Nancy, Sean, Mary Lex, Ted, Maura

Apple pie and "Pavlova"  -- a little bit of heaven.

On Friday, Sean, Ted and John Brennan were shown around town by Br. Charles, seeing the still sad effects from Katrina.  In the evening, Sean Moffett treated us to dinner at our favorite restaurant, ‘Ignatius’, named for the protagonist in the book CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES which was written by a man from St. Henry’s Parish.  After dinner it was on to ‘Sucré’ for gelato—though our visitor who lived in Rome for many years opted for espresso—gelato isn’t the same outside of Italy—somewhat like what New Orleanians think of Cajun  or Creole food preparation in other places.

On Saturday we bade farewell to our Brother visitors and on Sunday were happy to see a Saints victory and a game played like the team was getting things together.  A good lesson for all as we enter the Advent Season—urged to be awake and aware.

Pavlova--time for your close-up

For reflection:

“Canned food is a perversion,' Ignatius said. 'I suspect that it is ultimately very damaging to the soul.” 

―  John Kennedy Toole, A CONFEDERACY OF DUNCES

THE THRILL IS GONE: Saints Fans Feeling Down

After a much hyped beginning of the football season, which finds Bob and Charles glued to their TV’s on Sunday afternoon game days, the results have been lackluster and gloom hovers like grey clouds over many heads.  In addition, without the presence of volunteers, which gives this community its main mission, it is hard to work up much enthusiasm some days.

October 15 and 16,  John was at the Archdiocesan Catholic School Administrators’ Convention in Bay St. Louis where Robert [Louis] Marzano gave talks on “Formulating a School Culture to Meet the Individual Needs of the Students We Serve.”  Bob is a graduate of O’Dea High School in Seattle and joined the Brothers in 1964, the same year John did.  Bob left the community in 1968 and went on to author thirty odd books, and become a valued researcher and presenter on educational topics. John was able to spend time with him, attend Mass with him, and share breakfast with Bob and several staff members of the School Leadership Center where John does some consulting.

Sr. Monica Gundler facilitated a community meeting on October 27 and on the 29^th we celebrated Charles 89^th birthday.  During the day the community presented a donation to Lantern Light Ministries in Charles’ honor, he distributed treats to the guests.  That evening we celebrated his entrance to his ninth decade at a local restaurant with Presentation Sisters Vera and Enid and Holy Faith Sisters Nancy and Pauline.

Charles on postal duty on his 89th birthday!

Ice cream bars or ice cream sandwiches handed out by the birthday boy.

Br. Kevin Bernard, ’64, Deputy Regional Leader of the Latin American Region, arrived that same evening  He came to spend some time at the end of his two month sabbatical in the US.  Kevin and John drove to Mobile, Alabama on Friday and enjoyed hours of exploring the Battleship Alabama anchored in Mobile Bay.  Saturday was spent at the Mobile Museum of Art, a small but excellent assembly of beautifully displayed objects.  After lunch they discovered the Cathedral and Kevin discovered the stairs down to the crypt.  Heaven.  On Sunday, they visited Bellingrath House and Gardens which had a great cafeteria.  Kevin returned to Peru on Tuesday, November 4. 

On the 5^th John went in for the excision of a basal cell carcinoma.  Pictures tell the story.  John is thinking about dressing as a pirate for Mardi Gras if the scar does not heal.

Just an 8 inch long excision and you'll get a face lift thrown in!

They looked in but found nothing!  Perhaps I'll go as a pirate to Mardi Gras.

On the 8^th we had a great group from Iona Prep for dinner and reflection. 

Bob attended the Catholic Volunteer Network in Denver from November 11 to 15 and got some good ideas; he was, however, unable to connect with Kyle Fischler, one of our alumni volunteers who we believe is living in Denver. The 11^th was John’s birthday so he and Charles went out to dinner just around the corner at Baie Rouge—yummy.

Now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving—hopefully the Saints game will pick up also!

IN CASE YOU ARE INTERESTED:

A reflection for the CLARION HERALD special issue on Consecrated Life.

http://clarionherald.info/clarion/images/pdfs/consecrated_life/page03.pdf

BLOG 11.24.14

ANOTHER JUBILEE: 50 YEARS OF PRISON RODEO

When the Brothers met in September to discuss calendar and housekeeping details, Bob suggested we each plan two or three community outings to enjoy together.  He planned our first outing for Sunday, October 12:  to Angola Prison, a two and a quarter hour ride north of New Orleans.  The prison is near St. Francisville, set in a 20,000 acre farm that supplies beef, fruits and vegetables to all state prisons.  They also breed and raise Percheron draft horses descended from Belgian imports.  We were going to see the 50^th Angola Prison Rodeo.  This was certainly a new experience for each of us.

After running the ethics and implications of our attendance by a Sister who ministers in the system, the Brothers decided to go.  The prison describes the purpose and history of the event as follows:

“It is assumed that the Angola Prison Rodeo was initially established to provide a source of recreation for the inmate population as well as to provide a source of entertainment for employees of the Louisiana State Penitentiary and the immediate surrounding community. Eventually, this was expanded to include spectators from the general public.

Recognizing the potential for the growth of this unique event, since the 1995 rodeo season the Angola Prison Rodeo Committee has strived to provide a professional rodeo production which would prove beneficial to the internal inmate economy, but would also be beneficial to the Parish of West Feliciana tourism industry. Soliciting help and cooperation from the inmate population provided an important mechanism to protect and improve the quality of the Angola Prison Rodeo—both economically and environmentally.

At the conclusion of a hugely successful 2001 rodeo season, the Angola Prison Rodeo Committee demonstrated its commitment to promote a primary goal of the Louisiana State Penitentiary—rehabilitation. Accepting the prison’s strategy to enhance rehabilitative efforts by providing inmates housed at Louisiana State Penitentiary with an environment that enables positive behavior changes, the Rodeo Committee voted to dedicate proceeds (after expenses) from the 2001 rodeo to the construction of an interfaith chapel at Angola’s Camp-D housing unit.

The objective of the Angola Prison Rodeo remains to provide the prison population at Louisiana State Penitentiary with an opportunity for positive behavior changes.

Scope

The Angola Prison Rodeo Committee is committed to further develop the Angola Prison Rodeo event, taking into consideration the efficient and responsible use of resources. Proceeds shall be used to further develop the arena facilities to provide a safe environment for the inmates and spectators. Any additional rodeo fund proceeds will be dedicated to the future construction of chapels at Louisiana State Penitentiary and other Louisiana state prisons. Additional funds may also be donated to other worthy causes, including the Inmate Welfare Fund at Louisiana State Penitentiary.”

We arrived at Angola, after a long, did I say long, drive and went in search of food. After grabbing something to drink, we waited in hot sun for plates of delicious shrimp pasta with a lovely broccoli and golden raisin salad and a generous piece of garlic bread.  Lemonade and iced tea kept us hydrated.  Our seats were in the top tier of a 7,500 seat stadium, shaded by a vast roof, open to a constant cooling breeze.  We said prayers, saluted the flag, listened to interminable introductions and then were treated to the professionally produced rodeo.  It was fascinating fun, the crowd roared at appropriate times, and a few unusual acts appeared, including Capuchin monkeys riding sheep dogs—herding sheep!  Bob got us back early enough to enjoy a dinner outside at “Dat Dog” a unique hot dog restaurant/bar/young adult hang out.  All together it was another unique Southern experience.

Later that same Sunday evening, John stayed up to watch a beautifully produced program on Dumfries, a Scottish mansion at the heart of a 2,000 acres estate, housing a unique collection of Chippendale furniture designed for the house some 200 years ago.  The program focused on the efforts of the Prince of Wales to train young people in traditional crafts and to make the estate, now owned by a charitable trust, a resource for the area, an engine for jobs, tourism, art and craftsmanship.  

Both experiences spoke about the values of the people involved, if you paid attention.  At the rodeo, folks quickly cleared spaces at table when you got your food and searched for a spot to sit down.  They stood with hands over their hearts during the National Anthem.  They cheered all the inmate cowboys. 

At Dumfries, young adults spoke of the Prince’s personal interest [“He speaks to everyone,”] and of their pleasure in what is now their project.  They were involved and enthusiastic about possibility.

There is much goodness and cause for gratitude—if we are aware.

On Thursday evening, Adam Fuselier had returned with his vocation discernment group of high school  boys; Fr. Kurt Young, Vocation Director for the Archdiocese dropped in.  It was his first visit here and served to inform him that there are two “Christian Brother” orders.  He works with the De La Salle Christian Brothers at Archbishop Rummel High School.

That same evening, Br. Bob attended a reception given by “City Year” which places a large number of young people in volunteer programs in New Orleans.  He made a few contacts and chatted up Mayor Landrieu!

REFLECTION

“Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect?  Let me

                

          keep my mind on what matters,

which is my work,

which is mostly standing still and learning to be

                astonished.”

From MESSENGER, a poem by Mary Oliver

BLOG 10.13.14

AUTUMN BEGINS -- 2014

While Bob Koppes, as Director of the Lay Volunteer Program, has begun making contacts with folks on the Catholic Volunteer Network’s website, as well as working at St. Joe’s Parish on Tulane Avenue in the Business Office, he also found time for repairs to our home so we now have lights in all areas, the air-conditioning hums along and it appears our internet set-up is functioning.  Br. Charles continues his work as post man at Lantern Light Ministries where he notes increasing amounts of paperwork being sent to indigent homeless people asking for payment for medical expenses.

Kevin Bernard, Bill Casey, John reading from Kevin's poems!

Meanwhile, John flew to New Rochelle, New York on September 18^th to be part of Kevin Bernard’s Golden Jubilee celebration at 21 Pryer Terrace, the All Saints Community.  Kevin and John’s families both lived in Dumont, NJ when they joined, and 50 years ago John’s sister and brother stayed at the same convent as the Bernards did during visiting days in South Kortright, NY.  The celebration became a bit of a reunion!

Bernards and Caseys with the Jubilarian

 During the next week, John was based in New Rochelle.  He had a chance to visit with folks in the New York area that he has known for years, like the Keane’s from St. Philip Neri Parish in the Bronx.  Marita, a student at Manhattan College, initiated their visits to the Brothers’ Community in New Orleans two years ago.  Sr. Mary Frances Taymans, SND, came up from Washington to visit.  

Bill Casey, John, Br. Kevin Cawley, Mary Casey

Br. Bob McGovern and Patricia Casey at Kevin's Jubilee

During John’s sojourn in the Northeast, Br. Jim Quinn, from Australia by way of the Philippines, came to visit New Orleans; Bob and Charles hosted him at their worksites and toured him around the city.  He also got to spend a day at Cabrini High School through the good offices of Sr. Regina Petersen, MSC.

Marita Keane and Br. John at Rory Dolan's in the Bronx.  Talk about Irish , , ,

John was back to join Bob, Charles and Br. Jim for the 60^th Anniversary celebrations at St. Gabriel the Archangel Parish in Gentilly and the luncheon afterwards at the University of New Orleans where Sr. Regina and Holy Faith Sisters Maura O’Donovan, Nancy Hale and Pauline O’Reilly kept the conversation lively for our Australian guest.  Jim headed for a renewal program he is attending in the West on Monday, the 29^th. 

John treated himself to oral surgery on the 29^th but thrived on a diet of oatmeal and ice cream for a day or two.  On the evening of the 30^th John attended the executive committee of the Burning Bush group that strives to support initiatives for peace amidst the gun violence plaguing the city.

On the October 2^nd, we hosted a meeting of IGNITE.  It describes itself as follows:

Ignite is a mentor-based formation program for young men who want help discerning and pursuing their Vocation.

Convinced that good formation fosters good discernment, this program is focused on human and spiritual formation, fraternity, and intentional mentoring.

“Christ, the final Adam, by the revelation of the mystery of the Father and His love, fully reveals man to man himself and makes his supreme calling clear…” (Gaudium et Spes 22). Following the themes in this statement by the Second Vatican Council, the specific areas of formation we concentrate on are prayer, identity, and virtue (principally charity & chastity).

Adam Fuselier is the mentor for the group; he works with Dumb Ox Ministries, a lay organization that is dedicated to youth and young adult formation.  We hope to partner with them as we seek lay volunteers who may be interested sharing community life with us for a time.  We figure the best way is to have folks come here, meet us and see what the place looks like.  It was good, also, to see Adam working with the young men who came with him for the evening.  We hope they continue to use this place for meetings, and to become more familiar with us.

The weekend of October 4^th and 5^th was cool and dry; lots of pruning and fresh air.  On Saturday evening “Arts on Magazine” saw crowds on the street and lots of cars in the neighborhood—good for business—hooray.  And on Sunday, the Saints won—in overtime—but a win is a win.

Sadly, on October 3^rd we learned of the sudden death of Travis Wain’s father, John H. Wain, at the age of 67 in Schenectady, NY.  Travis was a volunteer here for 18 months and has continued to live in New Orleans where he works as a case manager for newly housed formerly homeless.

REFLECTION 

“How good it would be if we could learn that God is easy to live with. . . God is the sum of all patience and the essence of kindly good will.  We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections, and believing that he understands everything and loves us still.”  THE ROOT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, A. W. Tozer

BLOG 10.06.14